What does 1 Kings 20:24 mean?
"And do this thing, Take the kings away, every man out of his place, and put captains in their rooms:" - 1 Kings 20:24
1 Kings 20:24 - "And do this thing, Take the kings away, every man out of his place, and put captains in their rooms:"
1 Kings 20:24 (KJV): "And they took every man his weapon, and made haste to go out of the city."
This verse is found in the Old Testament of the Bible in the book of 1 Kings. It comes in the midst of a larger narrative that details the conflict between the kingdoms of Israel and Aram (also known as Syria). The Arameans, under King Ben-hadad, had besieged the city of Samaria, the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel. King Ahab of Israel sought the guidance of the prophet Elisha, who assured him that the Lord would deliver the Arameans into his hand.
In verse 24, we see the response of the Israelite soldiers as they prepare to defend their city and confront the Aramean army. The men "took every man his weapon, and made haste to go out of the city." This simple statement reveals the determination and urgency of the Israelite soldiers as they prepared to engage in battle. It conveys a sense of readiness and courage in the face of adversity.
In a broader context, this verse showcases the themes of warfare and faith in God's deliverance. The conflict between Israel and Aram represents the ongoing struggle for power and dominance in the ancient Near East. The Israelites' response to the threat of invasion reflects their reliance on their military strength and their belief in the protection of the Lord.
The imagery of the soldiers taking their weapons and hastily leaving the city also symbolizes the willingness to confront danger and the commitment to defend their homeland. It underscores the importance of courage and preparedness in the face of opposition and adversity.
Furthermore, this verse serves as a reminder of the biblical principle of being prepared for spiritual warfare. In the New Testament, the apostle Paul exhorts believers to "take up the whole armor of God" in order to stand against the schemes of the devil (Ephesians 6:11, ESV). This spiritual armor includes the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:16-17).
As such, the Israelite soldiers' readiness to engage in physical battle can be seen as a parallel to the spiritual readiness that believers are called to maintain in their walk with God. They are to be armed with the truth of Scripture, the righteousness of Christ, and the faith that enables them to withstand the enemy's attacks.
In conclusion, 1 Kings 20:24 captures a pivotal moment in the history of ancient Israel, highlighting the themes of warfare, courage, and preparation. It serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of trusting in God's deliverance in times of conflict and difficulty. Additionally, it offers a poignant metaphor for the spiritual battle that believers face, emphasizing the need to be equipped and ready to stand firm in their faith. This verse continues to inspire and encourage readers to this day, serving as a timeless testament to the enduring nature of God's protection and provision.
1 Kings 20:24 Artwork
1 Kings 20:24 - "And do this thing, Take the kings away, every man out of his place, and put captains in their rooms:"
1 Kings 3:24 - "And the king said, Bring me a sword. And they brought a sword before the king."
1 Kings 20:16 - "And they went out at noon. But Ben-hadad was drinking himself drunk in the pavilions, he and the kings, the thirty and two kings that helped him."
1 Kings 16:20 - "Now the rest of the acts of Zimri, and his treason that he wrought, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?"
1 Kings 20:43 - "And the king of Israel went to his house heavy and displeased, and came to Samaria."
1 Chronicles 24:20 - "¶ And the rest of the sons of Levi were these: Of the sons of Amram; Shubael: of the sons of Shubael; Jehdeiah."
1 Kings 20:20 - "And they slew every one his man: and the Syrians fled; and Israel pursued them: and Ben-hadad the king of Syria escaped on an horse with the horsemen."
2 Kings 24:20 - "For through the anger of the LORD it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, until he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon."
1 Kings 20:1 - "And Ben-hadad the king of Syria gathered all his host together: and there were thirty and two kings with him, and horses, and chariots: and he went up and besieged Samaria, and warred against it."
1 Kings 20:21 - "And the king of Israel went out, and smote the horses and chariots, and slew the Syrians with a great slaughter."
1 Kings 20:8 - "And all the elders and all the people said unto him, Hearken not unto him, nor consent."
1 Kings 20:38 - "So the prophet departed, and waited for the king by the way, and disguised himself with ashes upon his face."
Jeremiah 25:24 - "And all the kings of Arabia, and all the kings of the mingled people that dwell in the desert,"
1 Kings 10:24 - "¶ And all the earth sought to Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart."
1 Samuel 24:20 - "And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand."
1 Kings 20:19 - "So these young men of the princes of the provinces came out of the city, and the army which followed them."
1 Samuel 20:24 - "¶ So David hid himself in the field: and when the new moon was come, the king sat him down to eat meat."
1 Kings 20:3 - "Thy silver and thy gold is mine; thy wives also and thy children, even the goodliest, are mine."
1 Kings 20:2 - "And he sent messengers to Ahab king of Israel into the city, and said unto him, Thus saith Ben-hadad,"
1 Kings 13:20 - "¶ And it came to pass, as they sat at the table, that the word of the LORD came unto the prophet that brought him back:"
1 Kings 4:20 - "¶ Judah and Israel were many, as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry."
1 Kings 1:24 - "And Nathan said, My lord, O king, hast thou said, Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne?"
1 Kings 20:41 - "And he hasted, and took the ashes away from his face; and the king of Israel discerned him that he was of the prophets."
1 Kings 18:20 - "So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel."
1 Kings 10:20 - "And twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other upon the six steps: there was not the like made in any kingdom."
1 Kings 21:24 - "Him that dieth of Ahab in the city the dogs shall eat; and him that dieth in the field shall the fowls of the air eat."
Joshua 12:24 - "The king of Tirzah, one: all the kings thirty and one."
1 Kings 17:24 - "¶ And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in thy mouth is truth."
1 Kings 9:20 - "And all the people that were left of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, which were not of the children of Israel,"
2 Kings 20:20 - "¶ And the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and all his might, and how he made a pool, and a conduit, and brought water into the city, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"